COVID-19 Updates
March 18, 2020 Letter from Pastor Caroline
“...[For] God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:7 Dear Christ the King Community, With the above words of holy encouragement ringing in our ears, this is how we as Christ the King will continue to proclaim God’s love and grace, connect with each other in spite of “social distancing”, and serve one another and the world around us. 1. ALL IN-PERSON GATHERINGS, REHEARSALS, AND YES, EVEN WORSHIP SERVICES ARE SUSPENDED at CtK. Trust me; it takes a pandemic for me to suspend church life as we know it. But here we are. In accordance with CDC recommendations, the guidance of Bishop Bill Gafkjen, modern medicine and common sense, we are not meeting in person as a community of faith, beginning today. That is not to say, however, that we can’t be together in spirit. And technology can bring us together as we must physically remain apart. 2. WORSHIP. Until things change again, Pastor Brad, Hillary and I (along with a small tech crew) will either record or stream a shortened version of Sunday worship. We are still working out how to do this; check your email regularly to stay up-to-date. We need to hear the message of God’s love and grace…always…but perhaps especially now. 3. GATHERING. While we can’t gather in-person, smaller groups will stay connected via Zoom. Plans are underway for the CtK youth, Grief Share, Fresh Hope, and the whole congregation to gather via Zoom. Watch your email for an invitation to join an informal check-in and conversation from 10 – 11am on certain days, and from 6-7pm on others. (Other CtK groups are encouraged to set up their own Zoom meetings.) Let’s stay connected! 4. To quote Psalm 13, “HOW LONG, O LORD?” While no one has a definitive answer to that question, the Church Council believes we will operate this way at least through April, including Holy Week and Easter. Decisions for May and beyond will be discussed at the April Council meeting and shared with the congregation. 5. EASTER IN…JUNE? Although it may be July or August or even September, we will have a grand resurrection worship service once we are able to gather back at 17195 Cleveland Road. 6. A NOTE FROM OUR STEWARDSHIP CHAIR: Because we will not be gathering for worship services as usual, the Congregation Council wants to remind you that it is possible for you to continue to send your offerings to church. The pastors and staff are still working, and operating expenses continue. Thank you to those who are using Simply Giving; thus, providing a steady flow of contributions to the church. Others may mail offerings to CtK using your offering envelopes. Just put a stamp on it. Online giving is available on the CtK website. Just paste this into your web browser tinyurl.com/ctkluthgiving And don’t forget about Loose Offerings (offerings that are not in an envelope). CtK uses these contributions to help support local charities each month. The March Loose Offering will be donated to Camp Raybird, and the April to Phebe School in Africa. You can continue to contribute to these charities by designating “Extra-mile giving” on your envelope or online contribution (in the drop-down box). Thank you for your continuing support. 7. LOVING AND SERVING ONE ANOTHER. If you need any assistance or are able to offer assistance during this difficult time, please contact Jill Harms at jjharms@iastate.edu. 8. STAY TUNED! The plan is to send daily emails for a while so we can, indeed, proclaim God’s love and grace to one another, stay connected in spite of “social distancing”, and serve one another and the world around us. WE CAN DO THIS! “...[For] God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.” Blessings, Pastor Caroline |